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Konoha was always so beautiful at night.
Kakashi leapt through the gates, knowing his chakra signature would be registered by the sensory unit. His mission had been a success and had progressed much easier than anticipated. He had returned early and uninjured.
Quite rare for an ANBU.
It also meant his favorite Omega would be home.
Knowing the Alpha’s disdain for hospitals and his habit of coming straight home after missions, Iruka had taken to staying in Kakashi’s apartment when he was due in. It was ok, because even though their relationship was definitely in its infancy, they had given each other keys to their apartments and added their separate chakra signatures to their wards.
Kakashi had never looked forward to coming home as much as he did now.
Of course, he usually came home pretty beat up. Between the chakra exhaustion, the injuries, and sometimes poisons, he was usually hardly able to move and bleeding all over the place. If it was too bad, Iruka dragged his bony butt to the hospital. But, more often than not, it was Iruka who stitched and bandaged his wounds. It was Iruka who coaxed him to eat and drink. And it was Iruka he would wake up to, sitting by his bedside with a warm smile and a stern lecture about being more careful.
Kakashi didn’t mind it when the Omega scolded him.
He smiled to himself. What a surprise it would be for his favorite Omega to actually show up to Iruka’s apartment, whole and uninjured! Maybe Iruka would be so happy they could cuddle.
Kakashi loved cuddling Iruka. The man was always so warm and for Kakashi, who tended to run chilly, it was wonderful.
He arrived at his destination, his heart soaring. He landed lightly on the windowsill and peered inside.
What he saw was perhaps the most adorable thing he’d ever seen.
Iruka was folded over, asleep at his desk.
Kakashi pressed his hand against the window, hearing the barely audible click of the lock freeing as it recognized his chakra, and slipped inside. He walked up to Iruka, seeing that he was using his arms for a pillow. A few stray hairs had found their way out of his signature ponytail and were now lying against his forehead. His mouth hung open slightly and the tiniest line of drool trailed down.
Great Sage, this was cute!
He noticed the stack of papers Iruka had been in the middle of grading. It was more than usual and Iruka wasn’t usually so tired that he’d miss someone coming into his apartment.
That’s right. It was midterms this week.
Which meant Iruka was more busy than usual at the Academy. And that everything else in his life took a back seat.
As much as he wanted to talk to and cuddle with Iruka, it was clear the kind Omega needed rest. And Kakashi wasn’t selfish, he would never rob Iruka of what he needed.
He grabbed a nearby blanket and settled it over Iruka’s shoulders.
He didn’t stir.
Kakashi pondered a moment. Iruka was always taking care of him in his times of need. And Kakashi had never done the same for him.
Time to remedy that.
So, with the silence that ANBU were famous for, Kakashi set to work. Iruka had a load of clothes in the wash that were clean, so he hung them on the clotheslines on Iruka’s small balcony to dry. There were dishes in the sink and Kakashi couldn’t tell what the man had been trying to make for dinner.
He chuckled to himself. Iruka had always been pretty hopeless in the kitchen.
Kakashi felt almost giddy as he washed, dried, and put away the dishes. He usually found household chores extremely mundane and boring.
But doing them for someone else, in some strange way, made them exciting.
He was able to find enough ingredients in Iruka’s refrigerator to put together a quite healthy salad that was anything but boring. Iruka hated vegetables but Kakashi knew that if he made the salad, he would eat them.
And Iruka was eating less and less ramen and takeout since they had started seeing each other and Kakashi was cooking a good portion of their meals.
Kakashi knew he couldn’t cook without disturbing Iruka. And he didn’t want to wake him… the Omega had drifted deeper into sleep and was now snoring softly.
Kakashi grinned. How adorable!
He decided he would go to his apartment, fix food, and bring it back. He would make sure that Iruka had healthy, easy-to-heat meals for the rest of the week.
He thought about leaving a note, but decided against it. Iruka would know he’d been here.
He looked around the apartment. There wasn’t anything else that needed to be done and yet he wanted to do more. He wanted to do everything for the kind and stubborn Omega who wasn’t afraid to call Kakashi out on his crap. He wanted to spend all his free time with him. And while he enjoyed more… vigorous activities, he found himself desiring cuddling more. Just being and existing together in life.
Was this what love was like?
Kakashi wasn’t sure. He’d never been in love before.
But if Iruka was willing, he was eager to find out.
He bent down and gave the top of Iruka’s head the lightest peck with his masked lips. The Omega stirred slightly, but didn’t wake.
Kakashi smiled.
Iruka was always there to help Kakashi when he needed.
And now, Kakashi’s heart sang with peace and joy as he stepped back out into the night. Because finally, just this once, he’d been able to return the favor.